vettherapy

The obesity is the more common nutritional disease in developed societies and it is considered that 25 to 35% of the dogs are with overweight.  
 
It is responsible for the decrease of the physical capacity of the animal, for associated diseases and, frequently, for painful locomotion. It is resulted of the excess of energy, obtained by the feeding, in relation to the energy expense of the animal. That unbalance can have origin in the own animal, behaviors problems, but also in factors associated to the established handling by the own proprietor. 
 
Some considerations: 
 
1 – the weight excess during the growth phase becomes worse progressively. 
 
2 – it is responsible for the fat infiltration in the organs and for larger effort mechanic of the body. 
 
3 – dogs with pains accomplish less exercise tends larger tendency to put on weight. 
 
4 – it affects the psychic well-being of the animal (the lack of movements reduces the social contacts). 
 
5 – it potentiates possibilities of complications in surgical interventions. 
 
 Weigh loss program: 
 
1 – to evaluate the way of interacting with the animal: to adopt other interaction types (to play, to caress, to brush) in substitution to foods in response to requests for attention. 
 
2 – all of the members of the family should respect the program. 
 
3 – the weight loss results of the association among the consumption of food with low energy tenor and the increase of the level of physical activity of the dog. 
 
4 – the division of the daily dose is recommended in 3 or 4 meals, being avoided the hunger sensation. 
 
5 – the physical exercise, adapted in a gradual way, it stimulates the energy expense and it favors the preservation of the muscular mass. 
 
6 – it verifies in the ration package the suitable daily amount to the weight and load of the animal. 
 
Source: CFMV Magazine  
 
Vet Therapy – Dr. Cynara Campanati 

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